Arriving on Netflix, “Swim to Me” is a Chilean drama exploring the complex dynamics of power, dependency, and affection. A film driven by its characters, direction, and above all, its performances.
An Intimate and Unsettling World: The Narrative of “Swim to Me”
The film’s premise is built on the intense relationship between its two protagonists: Estela, a domestic worker from southern Chile, and Julia, the six-year-old girl she cares for day and night within a wealthy but emotionally distant family. The narrative delves into the bond they forge, a private universe that both isolates and unites them against the indifference of their surroundings.
This shared world is nourished by intimate rituals, like singing old songs or walking a stray dog through the neighborhood—moments that solidify a complicity that transcends their professional relationship. The film uses this interpersonal dynamic as a microcosm to examine broader social tensions prevalent in Chilean and, by extension, Latin American society.
The plot explicitly addresses Estela’s feelings of being “invisible and frustrated” and Julia’s experience of “profound abandonment” by her family. In doing so, the film becomes a social commentary on class hierarchies, the invisibility of domestic labor, and the consequences of emotional neglect. The dramatic elements are rooted in the emotional lives of the protagonists, while the thriller’s suspense is fed by the psychological consequences of their isolation and dependence. This balance is shattered by a “tragic incident” that breaks their bond and changes their lives forever, catalyzing the story’s fateful conclusion.
From Celebrated Page to Silver Screen: The Literary Foundation
The thematic and narrative strength of “Swim to Me” originates from an acclaimed literary work. The film is an adaptation of the novel of the same name by Chilean author Alia Trabucco Zerán, a fact highlighted in all the film’s promotional material. Far from being a minor work, the novel is an award-winning bestseller that has garnered significant international recognition. Its most prestigious honor is the 2024 Prix Femina for best foreign novel, one of France’s most important literary awards.
The original novel is framed in the “dirty realism” tradition and is structured as a confession or an interrogation. The narration begins with an inescapable fact: the girl has died, and Estela, the protagonist, tells her story from apparent detention, becoming an unreliable narrator whose version of events is as fascinating as it is ambiguous. This first-person account explores her daily routine until it becomes a “repetitive and ultimately violent nightmare,” unveiling the power dynamics within the home.
Beyond the domestic drama, the novel is deeply anchored in Chile’s recent history. The plot unfolds against the backdrop of the 2019 “Social Outburst,” a series of massive protests against inequality that shook the country. This context turns the tension inside the house into a symbol of the class oppression and social discontent brewing outside, transforming a domestic thriller into a powerful political statement. The story’s dramatic power had already been proven in another medium before its arrival on the big screen. In 2024, the novel was adapted for the stage in a production by the renowned Chilean actor and director Alfredo Castro. The story’s journey across three different platforms—literature, theater, and now cinema—is a testament to the universality and endurance of its central themes.
A Profile of Director Dominga Sotomayor
“Swim to Me” is directed by Dominga Sotomayor (Santiago, 1985), one of the most prominent and established figures in contemporary Chilean cinema. Her career as a director, screenwriter, and producer is marked by sustained recognition on the international festival circuit. With a solid academic background that includes a degree in Audiovisual Direction from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile and a Master’s in Film Direction from ESCAC in Catalonia, Spain, Sotomayor has developed a coherent and mature cinematic voice.
Her career reached a historic turning point in 2018 when she became the first woman in history to receive the Leopard for Best Direction at the prestigious Locarno Film Festival for her feature film Too Late to Die Young. This milestone not only solidified her status as a world-class filmmaker but also positioned her as a pioneering figure in an industry historically dominated by men.
Sotomayor has expressed that she prefers to speak of “adoption” rather than “adaptation” when referring to her relationship with Trabucco Zerán’s novel. This semantic choice reveals an appropriation of the text’s spirit to translate it into her personal universe, rather than a simple reproduction. According to her own statements, she did not accept the project immediately; her decision depended on a deep reading to determine if she could make it her own, a process that demonstrates a thoughtful artistic commitment. The director has acknowledged that projects that make her uncomfortable are the ones that creatively drive her, and the challenges of this film—working with another person’s creation and for a major platform—seem to have sharpened her observational skills. Thematically, her filmography shows a recurring fascination with moments of transition in the lives of children and adolescents, often set against the backdrop of broader social or historical change. This focus on youth as a barometer of larger transformations establishes a clear precedent for “Swim to Me,” making it a logical and powerful extension of her authorial voice.
The Creative Force
Behind “Swim to Me” is one of Latin America’s most influential and successful production companies: Fabula, the company founded by brothers Juan de Dios and Pablo Larraín. Alongside them, Rocío Jadue is a key producer on the project. Fabula’s involvement is no small detail; it serves as a seal of quality and a guarantee of artistic ambition and global reach.
Fabula’s pedigree is unquestionable. The company achieved international fame by winning the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2018 for A Fantastic Woman. Its prestige has been reaffirmed with two Oscar nominations in 2024 for El Conde (Best Cinematography) and The Eternal Memory (Best Documentary Feature), in addition to a long list of awards at festivals such as Venice, Berlin, and Sundance. Their involvement elevates “Swim to Me” from a local production to a feature film designed for the international market from its inception.
Furthermore, Fabula has cultivated solid experience producing content for major streaming platforms. Its relationship with Netflix is preexisting and strategic, having produced the series Baby Bandito and the documentary The Doomsday Sect of Antares de la Luz for the streaming giant. In some of “Swim to Me’s” credits, Netflix is even listed as a production entity alongside Fabula, suggesting a partnership deeper than a simple distribution agreement.
The cast is led by actress María Paz Grandjean as Estela, while the young Rosa Puga Vittini plays Julia. The main cast is rounded out by Ignacia Baeza (also credited as Ignacia Baeza Hidalgo), Benjamín Westfall, and Rodrigo Palacios. The screenplay was co-written by director Dominga Sotomayor and Gabriela Larralde, ensuring a cohesive vision from writing to direction. The creative team is enriched by the talent of acclaimed cinematographer Bárbara Álvarez and composer Carlos Cabezas, whose previous works promise a carefully crafted visual and auditory aesthetic.
The Journey to a Global Audience
The film’s journey began with a world premiere on a top-tier stage: the 73rd edition of the San Sebastián International Film Festival. The film had the honor of opening the prestigious Horizontes Latinos section, a competitive space dedicated to showcasing the best of the region’s cinema. The premiere was attended by key figures from the project, including director Dominga Sotomayor, lead actress María Paz Grandjean, and producers Juan de Dios Larraín and Rocío Jadue, underscoring the event’s importance.
Following its acclaimed international debut, the film had a limited run in select theaters in its home country, Chile. This local exhibition window allowed the Chilean audience to connect with the work on the big screen before its mass distribution. The screenings in Chile began on September 25. Finally, the film is set for its worldwide release on Netflix. This distribution ensures that the story will reach a massive audience in multiple territories simultaneously. The global release date on Netflix is set for October 10.
